DDGS IN POULTRY DIETS DOES IT MAKE SENSE Sally Noll, Ph.D 1364 Eckles Avenue University of Minnesota St. Paul, MN 5518 Office phone: 612-624-4928 FAX: 612-625-5789 nollx1@umn.edu Distiller grains with solubles (DDGs) is not a new or novel feed ingredient. However, increased supplies of distiller s dried grains with solubles are anticipated throughout the US as a result of ethanol production and this has rekindled the interest in utilization of this corn co-product in animal feeds. DDGs as a feed ingredient has a moderate protein content. In the Midwest US, corn is the primary feed stock although other grains can be processed as well. In the dry mill production of ethanol, two products are produced liquid solubles and grain residue. Each could be dried separately but are mixed together and dried to form DDGS as a dry ingredient. Some of the liquid solubles has been fed experimentally with acceptable results (Hunt et al., 1997) but usually the product is fed after drying. Newer production methods ( new generation plants ) are thought to produce a higher quality ingredient. A consideration for the use of this product or any alternative product is fairly similar to that of other ingredients. Information would be needed regarding its nutrient composition and variability, amino acid digestibility, amino acid balance, energy, mineral availability, maximum inclusion levels and cost relative to other ingredients. Unfortunately, there is limited recent research for this ingredient with modern strains of poultry. Nutrient composition and variability To assess composition of material from new generation processing plants, DDGs samples were collected from four ethanol processors in Minnesota over a period of time during spring, 22 (Noll et al., 23). Four representative samples were obtained from each ethanol processor. Each sample was analyzed chemically for proximate components (protein, fiber, fat, ash, moisture), amino acids, and minerals. In addition, the samples were submitted to Dr. Parson's laboratory at the University of Illinois for in vivo determination of amino acid digestibility using cecatomized roosters. Samples are also being assessed for energy in turkeys using the True Metabolizable Energy (TME) assay developed by Sibbald. Preliminary results indicate that nutrient content of the DDGs varies among sources but is relatively consistent within processing source. Sources were found to vary in proximate composition especially protein and fat content. Mineral content also varied among sources. Magnesium, sodium, potassium and phosphorus accounted for most of the inorganic component of the feed ingredient.
Nutrient profile and range in analytical values among DDGs as compared to NRC Content NRC, 1994 % Protein 25.5-3.7 27.4 Fat 8.9-11.4 9 Fiber 5.4-6.5 9.1 Calcium.17-.45.17 Phosphorus.62-.78.72 Sodium.5-.17.48 Chloride.13-.19.17 Potassium.79-1.5.65 Amino acids (selected EAA) % total amino acid Methionine.44-.56.6 Cystine.45-.6.4 Lysine.64-.83.75 Arginine 1.2-1.23.98 Tryptophan.19-.23.19 Threonine.94-1.5.92 In the report presented by Cromwell and coworkers (1993), 9 different samples of DDGS were analyzed and tested in chick diets. A large range of lysine contents were noted (.43 to.89%). Chick responses to inclusion of these same samples (2%) in isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets ranged from 63 to 84% of the corn-soy-starch control. Samples higher in lysine tended to perform better but some samples did not follow this pattern. As distiller grains undergo heating to produce the dried product, concern exists over amino acid digestibility especially for heating of lysine in the presence of sugars. Indeed the limited previously literature citations indicates poorer availability of lysine. Combs and Bossard (1969) found lysine availability to range from 71-93% by chick growth assay. Parsons et al. (1983) found slightly lower availability of 66% by chick growth assay. Lysine digestibility with roosters was found to 82%. Other sources also assign a low digestibility to DDGs. In the survey conducted, digestibility of several essential amino acids were affected, in particular that of lysine, threonine and cystine. Digestible lysine was in general much improved over previously published values in three of the four sources. The data indicate that while there are product differences among sources the product is relatively consistent for each source. Digestible Amino Acid Content and range among DDGs Amino acids (selected EAA) % Digestible amino acid Digestibility Coefficient (%) Methionine.35-.53 85.6-9 Cystine.28-.57 66.3-85 Lysine.37-.74 59.1-83 Arginine.73-1.18 8.5-9 Tryptophan.14-.21 76.4-87.4 Threonine.61-.92 66.8-8.7
Digestibility as determined by in vivo methods can be quite costly and time consuming. Lysine level, or other in vitro methods such as color or the Novus IDEA system can be used to make quality determinations much more quickly. DDGs samples with high digestible tended to have proportionally higher lysine content compared to samples low in amino acid digestibility. Ergul et al. (23) found that sample color in terms of lightness and yellowness was correlated with lysine digestibility (r 2 =.71 and.74, respectively). Using immobilized digestive enzyme assay (IDEA) system, a high correlation was also found between lysine digestibility and IDEA values (r 2 =.88) (C. Schasteen, personal communication, 24). Lysine True Digestibility (%) 9 8 7 6 Correlation of DDGS IDEA Value vs In Vivo True Lysine Digestibility (Parsons) R 2 =.88 n = 28 5.6.7.8.9 1. 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 IDEA Value The higher digestibility of some sources of DDGs for lysine can definitely add value to the DDGs. An economic analysis of turkey grower diets containing DDGs with either lower or higher lysine digestibility (6% vs. 78%) resulted in an opportunity cost of 5 cents greater for the DDGs with higher digestibility. Different scenarios of corn and SBM prices were used. Influence of digestible lysine content on value of DDGs ($/cwt) Ingredient and price ($/cwt) DDGs Low digestible lysine DDGs High digestible lysine Corn, 3.1 4.28 4.78 Corn, 3.5 4.54 5. Corn, 5.3 5.7 6.2 SBM, 8.25 4.54 5. SBM, 8.7 4.72 5.21
Recent Feeding Trials Turkeys. Three trials have been conducted at the University of Minnesota incorporating DDGs into market tom grow finish diets. A summary of the results are given in the following table: Market Tom Trials-Grow/Finish Diets (University of Minnesota) Trial* Trt DDGs,% BW, lb F/G 1 41.7 2.44 DDGs 12-8 41.9 2.48 2 42.3 2.64 DDGs 11-8 42.3 2.65 3 4.6 2.67 DDGS 1 4.4 2.63 *From Noll, University of Minnesota; Trial weeks of age; 1=5-19 wks; 2=8-19 wks; 3=11-19 wks In all three studies, comparable performance in terms of body weight and feed conversion was found for the DDGs test diets in comparison to a corn-soy-meat based diets with formulation conducted using digestible amino acids. In contrast, Roberson (23) found some higher levels of DDGs depressed growth in market turkey hens as level of inclusion increased to 27%. However, at inclusion levels of less than 1%, performance comparable to the control was obtained. Broilers. Waldroup et al (1981) conducted a study examining the influence of adjustment for dietary energy content with supplemental fat. DDGs was included to 25% of diet for broilers. When adjusted for lysine and energy level, performance was not affected. Without adjustment for energy, growth was maintained but feed conversion decreased. Caloric intake per gain was similar across all treatments. A more recent study by Dale and Batal (23) indicated that 6% inclusion in broiler starter feeds and up to 12% in grower feeds could be used without affecting live performance. Laying hens. Dale and Batal (23) also examined inclusion of 15% DDGs in laying hen diets. A lower number of eggs were found to 34 wks of age for hens fed the 15% DDGs although it was thought that this effect was due to the lighter weight of the pullets coming into lay in the summer as no differences were noted in egg numbers between the control and DDGs treatments thereafter.
In summary, DDGs was found to be an acceptable source of protein in diets for poultry at moderate levels of inclusion. Diets should be formulated taking into consideration amino acid digestibility, appropriate metabolizable energy value and available phosphorus contributions. More information regarding DDGs can be found at the following University of Minnesota website: http://www.ddgs.umn.edu/. Acknowledgments Thanks to the MTGA Nutrition subcommittee members for their suggestions and technical expertise and to the staff at the Rosemount Agricultural Experiment Station for their assistance and care of the flock. The project was partially funded by the Minnesota Turkey Research and Promotion Council, Heartland Lysine, MN Ethanol Distillers, and Minnesota Corn Growers Association. Central Bi-Products, FMC, Pfizer and Elanco also donated supplies to the project. References Combs, G. F., and E. H. Bossard, 1969. Further studies on available amino acid content of corn distillers dried grains with solubles. In Proceedings Distillers Feed Research Council Conference. Pages 53-58. Cromwell, G. L., K. L. Herkelman, and T. S. Stahly, 1993. Physical, chemical, and nutritional characteristics of distillers dried grains with solubles for chicks and pigs. J. Anim. Sci. 71:679-686. Dale, N. and A. Batal. 23. Nutritional value of distillers dried grains and solubles for poultry. 19th Annual Carolina Nutrition Conference, Research Triangle Park, NC. pp. 1-6. October 3, 23. Ergul, T., C. Martinez Amezcus, C. M., Parsons, B. Walters, J. Brannon and S. L. Noll, 23. Amino acid digestibility in corn distillers dried grains with solubles. Poultry Sci. 82 (Suppl. 1): 7. Hunt, J. H., J. J. Lyons, and J. M. Vandepopuliere, 1997. Corn stillage as a feedstuff for broilers and turkeys. J. Appl. Poultry Res. 6:31-318. Manley, J. M., R. A. Voitle, and R. H. Harms, 1978. The influence of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) in the diet of turkey breeder hens. Poultry Sci. 57:726-728. Noll, S. L., C. Abe, and J. Brannon, 23. Nutrient comp osition of corn distiller dried grains with solubles. Poultry Sci. 82 (Suppl. 1): 71. Parsons, C.M., D. H. Baker, and J. M. Harter, 1983. Distillers dried grains with solubles as a protein source for the chick. Poultry Sci. 62:2445-2451. Roberson, K. D., 23. Use of dried distillers grains with solubles in growing-finishing diets of turkey hens. Intl J. Poultry Sci. 2 (6): 389-393. Waldroup, P. W., J. A. Owen, B. E. Ramsey, and D. L. Whelchel, 1981. The use of high levels of distillers dried grains plus solubles in broiler diets. Poultry Sci. 6:1479-1484.